Insect Week 2026 has been a fantastic success, and we couldn’t have done it without you. A huge thank you to everyone who took part, organised events, volunteered, partnered with us, shared their expertise, or simply took a moment to stop and appreciate the incredible world of insects.
From bug hunts and wildlife walks to talks, exhibitions, photography, outreach events and family activities, it has been truly inspiring to see communities come together across the UK and beyond to celebrate the diversity, beauty and importance of insect life.
With so many wonderful events taking place throughout the week, it is impossible to capture every highlight, but here are just a few memorable moments from our City Hubs.
London City Hub
The London City Hub offered a fantastic opportunity for people of all ages to get stuck-in with insect science at the RES Insect Garden in Stratford Cross. Hosted by RES Fellow and Senior Outreach & Learning Officer Fran Sconce FRES in collaboration with the Field Studies Council, families and visitors explored insect habitats, learned from experts and discovered how even small urban spaces can support a remarkable diversity of wildlife.
Thanks to generous support from Big Give and The National Lottery Community Fund, all activities were free to attend, helping families, budding naturalists and curious visitors connect with nature and develop a deeper appreciation for insects right in the heart of the city.
Cardiff City Hub
Our Cardiff City Hub brought together partners from across Wales to celebrate insects through hands-on learning and community engagement. Led by Dr Wendy Harris, alongside Swansea University and Ant Antics Foundation CIC, activities at Cardiff National Museum welcomed families, nature lovers and curious visitors of all ages to discover the fascinating world of insects.
Through interactive displays, expert knowledge and engaging activities, the team helped showcase the diversity, importance and wonder of insect life.
Liverpool City Hub
Liverpool’s Insect Week City Hub celebrations brought insect science to life at World Museum with a series of engaging workshops led by Curator of Entomology Tony Hunter. Participants got up close with insect specimens and explored the vital roles insects play in our ecosystems through fun, accessible activities for all ages.
Visitors can continue their insect adventures this summer with World Museum’s Bug Hunt events taking place throughout August – Keep an eye out for their series of Bug Hunts taking place on 1 Aug, 15 Aug, 29 Aug!
Dublin City Hub
In Dublin, activities took place across Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin and microWild’s biodiversity meadow in Blessington. Highlights included guided bug hunts, insect-themed art, school engagement activities and opportunities to learn more about the research helping us better understand and protect insect biodiversity.
Led by RES President Jane Stout FRES, the City Hub helped inspire curiosity about the world’s most diverse group of animals, highlighting the essential roles insects play in pollination, healthy soils, food production and thriving ecosystems.
Edinburgh City Hub
At our Edinburgh City Hub, National Museums Scotland curator of entomology Ashleigh Whiffin hosted a fantastic programme of insect-themed family activities, workshops and displays that introduced visitors to one of the most diverse groups of animals on Earth. Outreach events across the city helped shine a spotlight on insects that are often overlooked despite their immense ecological importance.
National Museums Scotland hosted a series of family-friendly activities celebrating the fascinating world of beetles and other insect themed activities, inspiring visitors to discover the diversity and importance of insects that are often-overlooked. The events proved a great success, bringing communities together to explore insect science through hands-on activities, outreach events and creative workshops, with more beetle-themed fun continuing into July.
Pollinators, Policy and Parliament
Insect Week wasn’t just about getting outdoors and discovering insects – it was also an opportunity to ensure insects remained firmly on the political agenda. The RES All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) team met in Westminster during Insect Week to discuss pollinators and policy, helping raise awareness of the challenges facing insects while championing solutions to support their recovery.
The event also highlighted the importance of training the next generation of entomologists and encouraged policymakers to join us in standing up for insects and #StandTallForTheSmall.
Conservation Success in Denmark
Meanwhile, our conservation team was delighted to welcome guests to Denmark during Insect Week, where they showcased international conservation success stories through surveys of the endangered Large Blue butterfly. Visitors witnessed these remarkable insects on the wing while learning how collaboration across borders is helping secure their future.
Of course, these highlights are only a small snapshot of what took place during the week. Hundreds of events were organised by museums, universities, charities, recording groups, naturalists, individuals, schools and community organisations, each helping to connect people with insect science in their own unique way.
But while Insect Week may be over for another year, our appreciation for insects certainly isn’t.
Keep exploring, learning and sharing your passion for insect science throughout the year. Continue bringing your communities together, inspiring curiosity in others and championing the remarkable creatures that pollinate our crops, recycle nutrients, support wildlife and help keep our world thriving.
Together, we’re helping to create a future where insects are understood, valued and protected – and that’s something worth celebrating all year round.
Thank you for helping us enrich the world with insect science. Thank you for standing tall for the small. And thank you for making Insect Week 2026 such a memorable celebration.
We can’t wait for Insect Week 2027!
With generous support and funding through the Big Give and National Lottery Community Fund.
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